Social Media Addiction Research Articles

Identification of central symptoms in problematic WeChat use and depression among Chinese college students: a network analysis.

Previous research has identified a positive relationship between problematic social media use and depression. However, with the increasing diversification and personalization of social media platforms, the impact of different platforms on college students varies significantly. It is necessary to examine the specific symptom network of problematic use in certain platforms and its relationship with depression. Therefore, this study aims to address these gaps by investigating the symptom network of problematic WeChat use among college students and identifying bridge symptoms linking problematic WeChat use to depression. A total of 6,060 Chinese college students (Mean age = 18.32; range 16-21; 60.66% male, 39.34% female) were recruited and provided self-reports on their problematic WeChat use and depression levels. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify the profiles of problematic WeChat users. Subsequently, four network structures relating to problematic WeChat use and its association with depression were constructed among problematic users. The analysis revealed three heterogeneous groups of college students regarding their WeChat use, with 11.4% classified as problematic users. Network analysis indicated that the central symptoms of problematic WeChat use were "I feel the need to use WeChat with increasing amounts of time to achieve satisfaction" and "I have used WeChat to relieve of loneliness and stress". No significant gender differences were found in the network structure of problematic WeChat use; the network strength was significantly higher among male students compared to female students. Within the combined network, the central symptoms included "self-dislike," "pessimism," "I feel happy and satisfied when I am on WeChat," and "guilt." A strong association was observed between problematic WeChat use and depressive symptoms. The findings of this study further elucidate the impact of problematic WeChat use on depression among college students, providing both theoretical and practical insights for developing interventions targeting WeChat use and depression within this demographic.

A systematic review of problematic social media use and occupational functioning

A systematic review of problematic social media use and occupational functioning

Role of Narcissism on Problematic Social Media Use in Emerging Adulthood Instagram Users

The increasing use of social media, particularly among emerging adults, has brought attention to the issue of problematic social media use (PSMU). PSMU is characterized by excessive engagement and dependency. Previous studies have suggested a relationship between narcissism and problematic social media behavior. However, limited research has explored this relationship in the Indonesian context. This study aims to determine the role of each dimension of narcissism in problematic social media use by Instagram users emerging adulthood. The participants of this study were active Instagram users aged 18 to 25 years. This research was conducted using a quantitative approach. This study used convenience sampling and obtained 224 participants. The measuring instruments used in this study were the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ) to measure narcissism variables in each dimension and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) to measure problematic social media use variables. The analysis was conducted using multiple linear regression. The results of this study indicate that narcissism in the dimensions of admiration and rivalry dimensions (p<0.05) plays a significant and positive role in problematic social media use by emerging adulthood individuals who use Instagram. These findings suggest that individuals with higher levels of narcissistic traits, especially those seeking admiration or engaging in rivalry behaviors, are more likely to exhibit problematic social media behaviors.

The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Smartphone Addiction in Adolescents and Parental Neglect During the Pandemic

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between social media and smartphone addiction in adolescents and their parents’ neglectful behaviors in the pandemic. The main problem of the research is to examine whether the increasing socialization and intimacy needs of adolescents during the pandemic period are an important factor in the emergence of social media and smartphone addiction due to their parents' inability to adequately meet these needs and neglecting their children, especially in terms of supervision. The study group consisted of 280 adolescents aged between 11-14 attending secondary schools in the city center of Ankara, Türkiye and their parents. In terms of the data gathering instruments, an Individual Information Form was administered to both the children and parents for the purpose of gathering socio-demographic data. In addition, adolescents were administered Smartphone Addiction Scale for the purpose of assessing their smartphone addiction levels along with Social Media Addiction Scale for the purpose of assessing their social media addiction levels. On the other hand, the Multidimensional Neglectful Behaviors Scale was administered to the parents in order to assess the level of their neglectful behaviors. As a result, 86.5% (n=218) of adolescents stated that their smartphone use and 78.5% (n=204) stated that their social media use increased during the pandemic period. When the smart phone and social media addiction status of adolescents were compared according to the level of neglect by their parents, it was determined that the neglect scores of adolescents with addiction level-smart phone and -social media use were significantly higher. In addition, it was found that parental neglect levels were positively associated with both smart phone addiction and social media addiction in adolescents, and there was a positive relationship between smart phone addiction and social media addiction in adolescents. The findings were discussed in line with the related literature.

The Impact of Social Media Addiction on Teenagers

Abstract: Electronic devices and social media platform usage has become so prevalent that it become almost indispensable for people to stay in contact and usage in daily life. Even though social media provides numbers of benefits, the overuse of social media can lead to problems such as social media addiction. In this research, the cause, impact, and solutions of social media addiction will be discussed. Due to the high susceptivity of teenagers to social media addiction, this research aims to figure out possible ways to interfere with teenagers addiction and discuss possible treatments for it. This research used document analysis as the method. This research found social media addiction is caused by triggers, reward systems, and emotional needs; the impact of social media addiction is impaired brain functions, mental health issues, and overall well-being, including the cycle of depression and addiction, and the high rates of suicidal thoughts. This research also poses solutions, including setting limits to social media usage, adopting coping strategies, seeking therapy, and incorporating physical exercise.

Secondary School Students' Digital Literacy Skills, Social Media Addictions and Attitudes to Social Media Use

The aim of this study is to determine the digital literacy skills of secondary school students and their social media addictions and attitudes towards social media use. Descriptive survey model was used in the study. Convenient sampling method was used to determine the study group. The research was conducted on 327 volunteer middle school students within the borders of Amasya province in the 2022-2023 academic year. Data were collected using the digital literacy scale, social media addiction scale and social media attitude scale. Descriptive analysis, independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, correlation test and simple linear regression analysis were used in data analysis. According to the results of the analysis, it was seen that students' digital literacy skills and attitudes towards social media were at a medium level, and their social media addiction levels were at a low level. It was concluded that social media addiction was predicted by attitudes towards social media use and digital literacy skills.

The impact of social media addiction on state self-esteem; a cross-sectional study in university students from Samborondón, Ecuador

Introduction: The rise of social media has transformed social interactions, becoming essential in the lives of young people. Its excessive use raises concerns about negative repercussions on mental health, especially on self-esteem, which is crucial for psychological well-being and academic success. Methodology: This cross-sectional quantitative study investigated the influence of social media addiction on the state of self-esteem among 521 psychology students, selected by convenience. The Social Media Addiction Scale - Student Form (SMAS-SF) and the State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES) were used. Results: The results indicate that problems arising from social media use (β=-0.42, p<.001) and the obsession with being connected (β=-0.49, p=0.01) are significant predictors of lower state self-esteem, explaining 10% of the variance in state self-esteem. Discussions: Social media addiction has a moderately negative impact on the self-esteem of university students, which has negative implications for well-being. Conclusions: The need for specific interventions to mitigate these effects is highlighted. Further research is recommended to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions in the long term.

The Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Perceived Stress in Adolescents.

The study was conducted to determine the relationship between social media addiction and perceived stress in adolescents. The study was conducted in a descriptive and cross-sectional design between September and December 2022 in secondary education institutions of the Provincial Directorate of National Education in a city center in eastern Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 716 adolescents who were studying in the ninth grade (145), 10th grade (198), 11th grade (216), and 12th grade (157) who met the inclusion criteria of the study at the time the study was conducted. The sample comprised individuals with diverse sociodemographic characteristics, including ages, genders, school success levels, parents' education levels, parents' job status, socioeconomic status, time spent on daily social media, and purposes of social media use of the adolescents. The "Sociodemographic Characteristics Form," "Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents (SMASA)," and "Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)" were used as the data collection tools. Ethical principles were fulfilled in the study. It was found that the average age of the adolescents who participated in the study was 15.71 ± 1.22, 58.1% were females, 41.1% had good school success, 90.5% had a mobile phone, 90.2% used WhatsApp, 56.8% said that their daily social media use time was between 1 and 3 h, and 64% said that their purpose of using social media was for entertainment and leisure. The mean SMASA score was 18.49 ± 6.98, and the mean PSS score was 42.11 ± 7.54. It was found in the study that the mother's employment status, phone ownership status, use of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn accounts, daily social media use, time and purposes of using social media affected the mean SMASA score. Age, gender, school success, use of Instagram and Snapchat accounts, daily social media use time, and purposes of using social media affected the mean PSS score (p < 0.05). As a result of the study, a positive and low-level significant relationship was detected between social media addiction and perceived stress levels (p < 0.01). As the levels of social media addiction increase in adolescents, the perceived stress levels also increase. It was also found that some variables affected the social media addiction and perceived stress levels of adolescents.

Social media use by teachers during work and its effects on their performance: the role of teacher’s wellbeing and social media addiction

BackgroundAlthough extant literature has investigated the impacts of social sites on employees’ job performance in different sectors, scholars have given little attention to teachers’ job performance (TJoP) in higher educational institutes.PurposeWe aimed to investigate the direct and mediating impact of social media use (SMU) on TJoP. Based on social cognitive theory, this study proposed a model that consists of six hypotheses.Methodology: To empirically test the model, we develop a survey link to collect data from respondents working in universities in Jiangsu province, China. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) using SmartPLS 4 has been used for analyzing 454 respondents.ResultsResearch findings demonstrate the significant effects of SMU on TJoP, well-being, and social media addiction (SMAdd). In addition, teachers’ well-being and SMAdd have a positive and negative significant effect, respectively, on TJoP. Moreover, this research evidenced a significant partial mediation of teachers’ well-being and SMAdd.ConclusionThis study points out the key role of SMU in the direct and indirect influences of TJoP through well-being and SMAdd. Further, it brings into view the urgency of higher education to prudently consider the implications of SMU on performance and general well-being among its faculty.

Longitudinal trait and state-like differences inthe components model of addiction: Anillustration through social media addictionand work addiction.

Conflicting findings have been reported for the longitudinal course of behavioral addictions, especially for social media addiction (SMA) and work addiction (WA). Therefore, evaluating whether these constructs are more trait-like or state-like might be informative. The aim of the present study was to examine the proportion of variance of SMA and WA symptoms (as defined by the components model of addiction) explained by trait and occasion-specific factors in addition to exploring cross-lagged relationships between SMA and WA. Young adults from a representative sample who continuously used social media and worked at least 40 hours a week during the first three waves of the Budapest Longitudinal Study were included (N = 1,551; Females: 50.6%; Age:M=27.7 years [SD = 4.40]). The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale and the Bergen Work Addiction Scale were administered in all three waves. A latent state-trait model with a general trait factor was considered for both SMA and WA. Symptomatic variability in SMA was explained approximately equally by trait and state-like factors, while WA-related symptom variability was mostly attributed to state-like factors. SMA negatively predicted WA over time, while WA showed a positive cross-lagged effect on SMA. While the symptoms of WA were more state-like, the trait-like effects were stronger in SMA. Situational influences and previous symptom severities might have to be considered in the screening process.

Impact of the Usage of Cell Phones and Social Media Among the Rural College Girl Students

The main problems of the study deal with prevalent in Government Colleges, every year 25% of college girls drop out of their higher education, and 10% of the girls are coerced into marriage by parents and continuing education. The study was conducted at the Government Arts and Science College for Women, Alangulam of Tenkasi District. It was purely an empirical study. This College offers 5 Degree Courses in Arts and Science, comprising 896 girls. One-eighth of the samples were taken for the present study. The main objectives of the study include studying how many hours cell phones are spent per day by female students on social media. ii, to examine whether it has been used for either academic purpose or personal purpose. iii.To provide effective supportive mechanisms to solve socialmedia addiction. The present study covers 100 college girlsstudents in art science. 80% of students have said that daily onehour using 2GP (Rs.250/- per month) for online courses incollege and more than one and a half hours using houses forpersonal uses. 60% of the of girl's students have reported thatapart from studying, they cell phones for chatting with friends,WhatsApp status, and reels. 25% of the girls students haveescaped from college education and eloped with lovers throughcell phone chatting.15% of the cell phones were snatched byparents and stopped their education.

Hikikomori in the Middle East: The role of problematic gaming, social media use, and loneliness

Hikikomori, a form of severe social withdrawal has been found to be associated with behavioral addictions such as gaming addiction and problematic social media use (PSMU). Since literature related to hikikomori is lacking in the Middle East, this study aimed to determine whether there are significant differences in hikikomori-like traits between two different types of social media users and gamers and investigate loneliness as a potential mediator between hikikomori and the two types of problematic behaviors. A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed, collecting a final sample of 220 participants residing in Middle Eastern countries using a mixture of convenience and snowball sampling. Results showed that passive social media users demonstrated significantly greater hikikomori-like traits compared to active users. Furthermore, hikikomori-like traits exhibited significant positive associations with problematic gaming, PSMU, and loneliness. Two separate mediation analyses, the first with PSMU and a second with problematic gaming as predictors, revealed that loneliness acted as a significant mediator between both these problematic behaviors and hikikomori-like traits.

How Mattering and Anti‐Mattering Experiences Across Offline and Online Environments Contribute to People's Digital Life Balance and Social Media Addiction

ABSTRACTIn today's world, internet use has been evaluated as a factor that tremendously affects people's lives. More recently, evidence has been presented on the role that social‐level factors play in determining the dysfunctional use of new technologies, such as the need for social recognition. This study examines the concept of ‘mattering’ and its counterpart ‘anti‐mattering’ to understand how offline and online social experiences, along with need satisfaction, influence digital life balance and social media addiction. Three hundred participants (78.3% women; Mage = 24.92 years, SD = 7.49) participated in the data collection. This cross‐sectional explorative study revealed that people Satisfied Online (i.e., subjects who satisfy their need to be important only online) are more likely to develop social media addiction and an imbalance between offline and online life than those who are Fully Satisfied, Fully Unsatisfied, and Satisfied Offline based on correlation and ANOVA analyses. In conclusion, the results of this study support the idea that the human need for social connection and social recognition are critical in shaping our relationship with emerging communication technologies, both toward functional and dysfunctional use.

Understanding the Role of Resilience in the Link between Facebook Addiction and Mental Health among Female College Students

Understanding the Role of Resilience in the Link between Facebook Addiction and Mental Health among Female College Students

Problematic Social Media Use, Retaliation, and Moral Disengagement in Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization Among Italian Preadolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model

AbstractDespite existing research on the factors associated with problematic social media use (PSMU), cyberbullying (CB), and cybervictimization (CV) among youth, few studies have explored the relationships between these variables. Rooted in the Maladaptive Coping Theory, this study investigates the complex dynamics of digital behaviors among Italian preadolescents, exploring the interplay between PSMU, moral disengagement, retaliation, and their connections with cyberbullying and cybervictimization. A total of 489 participants (Mage = 11.90, SD = 0.783; 50.3% female) from schools in southern Italy completed an online self-report questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were conducted and correlations between variables were computed. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed using PROCESS in SPSS 27.0. The results of the study indicated that PSMU positively predicted both CB and CV. Moral disengagement (MD) was identified as a mediator in this association, elucidating the role of justifications and cognitive restructuring in facilitating negative online behaviors. Most notably, retaliation emerged as a moderator that amplified the effects of PSMU on cyberbullying and cybervictimization. These findings underscore the pivotal role of PSMU in shaping digital landscapes for preadolescents and highlight the need for tailored interventions. In addition, they highlight MD as a maladaptive coping strategy in the online realm, revealing its instrumental role in perpetuating negative online behaviors. This study’s insights suggest the need for interventions to address the complexity of young people’s online interactions and promote a safer digital environment.

Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Narrative Review.

Social media use is ubiquitous to the lives of children and adolescents. The body of research investigating its potential impact on mental health has risen exponentially. We systematically reviewed the present literature exploring potential linkages between social media use and symptoms of depression and anxiety in this vulnerable group. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses framework, articles were searched across Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases from inception to February 2024. Quantitative studies with social media as exposure and anxiety/depressive symptoms as outcomes in children and adolescents 5-18 years of age were included. Of the 4850 studies retrieved, 67 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The most frequent measures of social media were "time spent on social media" and "frequency of use." Depressive symptoms were the outcome of 61 studies, whereas anxiety was measured in 27 studies. Most studies were of fair quality (n = 53). A meta-analysis was not possible due to study heterogeneity. Our review shows that (1) problematic social media use is associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents, (2) duration of social media use was more consistently linked with anxiety and depression in girls compared with boys, and (3) mediating and moderating mechanisms were sleep deprivation, social comparison, and feedback-seeking behaviors, exercise, social support, and type of social media use. Qualitative work and robust large-scale longitudinal observations using a person-specific approach are needed to further our understanding of the impact of social media use on depression and anxiety in children and adolescents.

The role of bullying perpetration and victimization in adolescents' perceptions of school climate and social media usage

AbstractPrevious research has reported a relationship between adolescents' perceptions of school climate and social media use. However, the underlying mechanisms associated with the relationship have yet to be fully explored. This study aimed to examine the role of peer bullying in the relationship under consideration. This cross‐sectional study applied a correlational research model to examine the perceptions of 718 adolescents aged 11–14. Data gathering entailed the School Climate Survey, Peer Bullying Self‐Report Form, and the Social Media Disorder Scale. Significant relationships between school climate, social media addiction, and peer bullying emerged from the gathered data. The study also found that peer bullying partially mediated the relationship between school climate and social media usage, both in terms of perpetrating bullying behavior and experiencing victimization. Specifically, 22.43% of the total effect of school climate on social media addiction was mediated through exposure to bullying perpetration, while 25.10% was mediated through experiencing victimization. A notable finding of this study is the role played by a perceived negative school climate in terms of increasing social media addiction; additionally, this increase may be partially mediated by exposure to peer bullying. A discussion of the results in light of the relevant literature is included, along with suggestions for future study.

Exploring Gender Differences in Internet Addiction and Psychological Factors: A Study in a Spanish Sample

Background/Objectives: Internet addiction (IA) and related behaviors, such as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and social media addiction (SMA), have gained increasing research attention. Studies show gender differences, with males more likely to develop gaming-related addictions and females more prone to social media and phubbing behaviors. This study aimed to explore gender differences in Internet addiction and related behaviors in a Spanish sample, with the goal of identifying predictors and gender-specific patterns of IA. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 585 participants (265 male, 320 female) aged 18 to 35 years (M = 22.11, SD = 3.08). Data were collected using standardized questionnaires to assess IA, IGD, SMA, phubbing, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), emotional dysregulation, personality traits, and prosociality. Correlation and regression analyses were used to identify gender-specific predictors of IA. Results: Males exhibited significantly higher scores for IA and IGD, while females showed higher scores for SMA and the “phone obsession” dimension of phubbing. No significant gender differences were found in the “communication disturbance” dimension of phubbing or in FoMO. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between IA and psychological as well as technological variables. Gender-specific predictors of IA included social media engagement and emotional regulation for females, while gaming behaviors and communication patterns were more relevant for males. Conclusions: These findings highlight gender differences in IA, suggesting that tailored interventions should address unique online behaviors and emotional regulation challenges in males and females. Future research should refine gender-specific patterns to develop more effective, targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

The gaming disorder test and gaming disorder scale for adolescents: translation and validation among Vietnamese young adults

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that the Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents (GADIS-A) have promising validity and reliability when assessing symptoms of gaming disorder among young adults. However, validity and reliability properties of the two scales have not been established among a Vietnamese population.ObjectiveThe present study translated the GDT and GADIS-A into Vietnamese and examined their factor structures, measurement invariance, convergent validity, concurrent validity, and divergent validity among university students.MethodsA total of 610 young adults (mean age = 21.09 years; 63.4% females) were recruited using convenience sampling and who completed a paper-and-pencil survey between April and June 2023. All participants completed a demographic questionnaire, GDT, GADIS-A, and six standardized scales related to gaming disorder, social media addiction, smartphone addiction, and psychological distress. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency testing, and Pearson’s correlations were performed.ResultsCFA showed that the GDT had a one-factor structure and the GADIS-A had a two-factor structure. The internal consistency was excellent for both scales among this population. Moreover, both GDT and GADIS-A showed convergent, concurrent, and divergent validity with other standardized scales.ConclusionThe Vietnamese versions of the GDT and GADIS-A have good psychometrics, which may be utilized in future research regarding gaming disorder among Vietnamese populations.

Social Media Addiction and Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Among Adolescent Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To measure a multivariate analysis of social media addiction and cognitive-behavioral physical activity associated with several sociodemographic characteristics in adolescent girls. A cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of adolescent girls studying in a vocational high-school in the Middle-Black-Sea region in Türkiye (n = 333). A questionnaire, Social Media Addiction Scale-for-Adolescents (SMAS-A), and Cognitive-Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire (CBPAQ) were used to collect the data. The mean age was 15.35(SD=1.15), and 29.4% were the ninth-class students. Of the adolescent girls, 85.9% were social-media users, 59.8% used the internet 2-hours-or-more/daily, 67.9% declared themselves as moderately-active. The mean scores of the SMAS-A and the CBPAQ were 3.40 (SD=1.61) and 21.03(SD=7.64), respectively. There was a significantly-negative correlation between cognitive-behavioral physical activity and social-media addiction levels. The One-Way MANOVA results showed significant differences in the academic level, family income, mother education, and physical activity measurement application usage affected to cognitive-behavioral physical activity. Social media usage habit affected to the social media addiction level. Daily internet usage time and self-declared physical activity level were the mutually affected factors. School nurses should act to improve healthy social media usage habits to promote well-being and encourage the positive attitudes towards regular physical activity in this population.